Kansas counties are on their own when negotiating payment in lieu of taxes agreements with wind farm companies looking to install turbines in their counties, and payments vary widely from one wind farm to another.
The most recent figures available, from a 2017 study by Flatland, a Kansas City-based public broadcasting system, show payments to counties range from $1,000 to $6,500 per megawatt produced. Marion County’s agreements place it near the bottom for payments for wind farms in the state.
A recently-completed wind farm in the northern portion of the county, Diamond Vista, pays the county $900 per megawatt produced. Diamond Vista is owned by Enel Green Power.
Diamond Vista’s first payment in lieu of taxes to the county, made in December, was $269,325.
(Read more: Marion County RECORD)